Plum

A true Brda speciality among plums is ‘prunele’plums processed in a special way. In the past they were typical for Brda, nowadays they are an almost forgotten tradition. Among dry fruit they were considered a huge and very expensive specialty exclusively intended for selling abroad.

Plum peeling is one of the most interesting chapters of Brda history. Sources tell that the production of ‘prunele’ began in the beginning of the 19th century, around 1810, when during the Napoleon times, the French brought it here. The season of ‘prunele’ production lasted from 15th August to 10th October. This was the time when the hay was stored away and the grape harvesting was approaching. Plums were peeled in several Brda villages, but the centres were Šmartno and Medana. Work was organized solely by the men, and the plums were peeled by the women. The men took care of carrying the ‘picon’ (reed wood for drying), shifting, weighing and placing the plums in crates.

Peeled plums were first sulphurised. Some put them in special crates and these crates in an incense. After sulphurising them they were put on “rošt”, a special frame, so that the plums were exposed to the sun as much as possible. In fine weather they dried for two to three days. Then they were put in crates, where they waited for the process of “pogačanje” or “penčanje”.  “Pogačanje” means that the plums were first stoned and pressed together by two and formed in a coin similar round shape called “pogačice – prunele”. Plums were again sulphurised before being sold in order to be disinfected.